Motorized hydrofoil device

ABSTRACT

A motorized hydrofoil water craft that has a substantially horizontally disposed flotation device that may be configured to receive an adult human in a prone, sitting or standing position. The craft includes a hydro foil, a motor, and a steering mechanism. The hydrofoil may have various configurations and be detachable, while the motor may be electric and have an associated battery that is situated underwater in use. The steering mechanism may include a canard and be configured for vertical movement of the canard. Several embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a personal water craft and, morespecifically, to a motorized hydrofoil based water craft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The prior art comprises many types of personal water craftsincluding row boats, paddle-wheel devices, jet skis, sailboards, andothers. While many of these craft provided a particular benefit theyalso have disadvantageous aspects. Disadvantageous aspects may includingthat they are undesirably heavy or cumbersome for ready transport anduse by a person (unaided by others or by machinery). Otherdisadvantageous aspects include excessive costs or a relatively highlevel of operator ability for successful operation.

[0003] The personal water craft prior art also includes hydrofoildevices. Exemplary prior art hydrofoil devices include those disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,468,188; 6,178,905; 5,471,942; 5,448,963; 5,117,776;4,711,195; 4,349,340; and 3,722,450. These include boat-like devices,jet ski and sailboard like devices and various other devices. U.S. Pat.No. 6,178,905 discloses a hydrofoil water craft that is disadvantageous,among other reasons, in that it provides limited operator positioning, arelatively bulky motor arrangement and limited maneuverability (forexample, an operator cannot contrl lift of the front foil). U.S. Pat.No. 5,471,942 discloses a hydrofoil sailboard that is disadvantageous,among other reasons, in that it requires significant user aptitude foroperation and provides limited maneuverability.

[0004] A need thus exists for a personal water craft that overcomes thelimitations of the prior art. A need also exists for a personal watercraft that more readily affords a “surfing” experience and one thatprovides enhanced performance, ease of use and transport, and isrelatively inexpensive to make, use and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior artand beneficially contributes to the hydrofoil and water craft arts.

[0006] The present invention may include a motorized hydrofoil watercraft that has a substantially horizontally disposed flotation devicethat is longer than wide and configured to receive an adult human. Thecraft may include a hydrofoil, a motor, and a steering mechanism.

[0007] In one aspect, the flotation device may configured to receive ahuman in a prone, sitting or standing position. In another aspect, thehydro foil may have various configurations and be detachable. In yetanother aspect, the motor may be electric and have an associated batterythat is situated underwater in use. And in yet another aspect, thesteering mechanism may include a canard and be configured for verticalmovement of the canard.

[0008] The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages andfeatures of the invention are achieved by use of a motorized hydrofoilapparatus as described herein and should be more readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, after review of the following more detaileddescription of the invention taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrofoil water craft inaccordance with the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of a foilassembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water craft of FIG. 1 in setupor in-use in accordance the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water craft of FIG. 1 in astarting (or ending) position in accordance the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of a water craft having analternative foil assembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of the front end of a watercraft having an alternative steering mechanism in accordance with thepresent invention is shown.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a water craft having analternative flotation mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a hydrofoil watercraft 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Craft 10 mayinclude a board 12, a hydro foil or wing 14, a motor 16, a battery orother power source 20, a propeller 22, a steering shaft 24 and a canard30. Note that motor 16 and battery 20 are provided in housing 18 in amanner that reduces drag.

[0017] Board 12 is preferably a foam core or related board, though itmay be made or other materials and configurations that provideflotation. Material examples include, but are not limited to, plastic,metal, wood fiberglass and other materials. Flotation may be provided bydisplacement or trapped air, etc.

[0018] Board 12 of FIG. 1 is similar in some aspects to that used insurfing and/or sailboarding. The board is preferably longer than wideand may be more than twice as long as wide. Board 12 may be configuredto provide a relatively flat surface (as shown in FIG. 1) that receivesan adult human in a prone, sitting or standing position. In analternative embodiment, flotation 12 may take the form of an open orclosed shell kayak or other arrangement.

[0019] The bow of board 12 may taper to form a linear or vertical frontwhich may in turn initiate a small keel 11 (as shown in FIG. 1). Board12 may contain a central slot or other configuration for the detachablereception of foil assembly 40, discussed in more detail below.

[0020] The steering shaft may have a telescoping configuration (toaccommodate different size users), and have a control handle 26 providedat a user end and a canard 30 provided at the distal end. The canardincludes a spoon 32 and a relatively small foil 34. Spoon 32 senses thewater surface and small foil 34 provides support, permitting the canardto lock onto the water surface. Canard 30 is preferably coupled to shaft24 by pivot 31 or by another mechanism.

[0021] Steering shaft 24 may be coupled to board 12 by a universal pivot25. Universal pivot 25 permits a user to turn shaft 24 left, right, up,and down and various combinations thereof. Movement of shaft 24 to theleft (from the perspective of a user) causes craft 10 to turn to theright, and vice versa.

[0022] Shaft 24 may be configured to extend beyond board 12 a sufficientdistance to permit operator adjustment of the height of the canard. Thismay be of particular relevance when encountering a wave or a ship wake,or other water turbulence.

[0023] Control handle 26 may include an on-off switch 27 and a throttlelever 29. With the on-off switch turned on, a user pulls in throttlelever 29 which causes motor 16 to turn propeller 22. The further thehandle is pulled in, the faster the craft goes. When the throttle isreleased, the motor and propeller stop.

[0024] To operate craft 10, a user initially lays on board in a proneposition and engages the motor. Note that more experienced user maybegin use from a sitting or standing position. When in a prone position,shaft 24 may be positioned in a substantially horizontal manner as shownin FIG. 4. An operator is able to control speed and direction throughhandle 26. As the craft gains speed and the board becomes more stable, auser may readily stand on the board and assume as desired position whichmay include a “surfing” style position. With sufficient speed the boardraises out of the water riding primarily on foil 14. Should a user jumpor fall off the craft, the user simply releases the throttle levercausing the motor to stop. For a more controlled stop, the user canthrottle down gradually.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective, exploded view of oneembodiment of foil assembly 40 in accordance with the present inventionis shown. FIG. 2 illustrates a foldable version of foil 14. In thisembodiment, foil 14 is comprised of two foil sections 13 and 15 that arerespectively coupled by hinges 42 to housing 18. Due to lift inducedduring forward movement of the foil and/or due to a buoyant composition,foil sections 13, 15 rise in water to the position shown in FIG. 1. Therange of motion of hinges 42 is such that upward movement of sections13, 15 stops at a desired position shown in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 2 also illustrates housing 18 separated into component parts18A and 18B. Part 18A houses battery 20, while part 18B houses electricmotor 16. Housing parts 18A, 18B are preferably made of aluminum or asuitable alloy. Metallic or like materials provide good thermalconductivity for cooling motor 16. Parts 18A, 18B are preferably coupledin a releasable manner with an o-ring or other mechanism to form awatertight seal.

[0027] While battery 20 may be provided elsewhere, such as in a cavityin the board, providing the battery as shown in FIG. 2 achieves severalbenefits. These benefits include that the board is rendered lighter andthus more maneuverable, the battery is located in the same housing asthe motor making the battery easier to change, and the necessity ofrunning wires from the board to the motor is eliminated.

[0028] The motor 16 may be a DC motor or other suitable motor. Thebattery 20 may be a nickel metal hydride battery or other suitablebattery. Note that while a battery and motor are preferred, a gasolineengine or the like could be used as an alternative. The gas engine wouldpreferably be provided on board 12 and drive propeller 22 by a rigid orflexible shaft arrangement. Note also that as fuel cells reach asuitable level of development, they may be used in place of motor 16.

[0029] Foil 14 and housing 18 are suspended below the board by verticalspacer 17. Vertical spacer 17 may maintain the foil (and propeller) at adesired distance from the board. Design considerations in determiningfoil depth include providing sufficient space between the board and thewater surface so that a user can execute a turn without the board comingin contact with the water surface.

[0030] A top portion 45 of vertical spacer 17 is configured forreleasably coupling to board 12. The top portion includes a tab 46 and apin hole 47. To mount the foil assembly to the board, top portion 45 isinserted into slot 19 in such a manner that tab 46 engages complementarygeometry in slot 19. A releasable pin is provided through portions ofboard 12 (or a bracket coupled to board 12) and pin hole 47 toreleasably securely the foil assembly to the board. Note also that thevertical spacer may be fixedly coupled to the board. This, for example,may be utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 5 in which foil 14 isdetachable from the vertical spacer.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of craft 10 in setup orin use in accordance the present invention is shown. FIG. 3 illustratesfoil assembly 40 inserted into slot 19 and foil sections 13 and 15positioned at some point between vertical and horizontal. Thisperspective may represent several situations. In one, the foil sectionsare buoyant and rising after being placed in the water. In another, thecraft is moving forward causing the foils to lift. In yet another, theboat is stopped or stopping and the foils are not buoyant and aredescending.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of craft 10 in a starting(or ending) position in accordance the present invention is shown. Thisposition is characterized by shaft 24 being provided in a nearlyhorizontal position laying on the fore-deck of board 12.

[0033]FIG. 4 also illustrates angle-of-attack adjustment knob 52. Knob52 and slot 19 are configured such that knob 52 can be pulled backwardin releasable increments that move tab 46 upward causing foil assembly40 to pivot around the pin in pin hole 47. This in turn moves the bottomof the vertical spacer forward increasing the angle-of-attack of theattached foil. Note that in another embodiment of adjusting theangle-of-attack of foil 14, an adjustable mechanism such as one usingwing nuts or the like, for example, could be provided where foil 14couples to housing 18 or vertical spacer 17.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective bottom view of a water craft110 having an alternative foil assembly 140 in accordance with thepresent invention is shown. FIG. 5 illustrates a water craft havingboard 12, steering shaft 24, control handle 26 and canard 30. The watercraft also has a vertical spacer 17, housing 18 (and motor and battery),and propeller as discussed elsewhere herein.

[0035] In contrast to a foil provided in sections (e.g., 13, 15 above),foil 114 may be provided as a continuous member. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, two extenders 126 extend downward and outward from housing 118.These extenders preferably have a bottom edge that is shaped to receivethe top of foil 114. Leaf spring members 127 are coupled to the bottomof extenders 126 and disposed such that foil 114 may be slide intoposition (from the rear) between the shaped bottom of the extenders (onthe top) and the leaf springs (on the bottom). Not only does thisarrangement provide ease of assembly, but it permits the foil todisengage if the foil contacts an object under the water surface.

[0036]FIG. 5 also illustrates a propeller guard 123. A propeller guardmay also be provided on the other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective side view of the front end ofa water craft 210 having an alternative steering mechanism 120 inaccordance with the present invention is shown. FIG. 6 illustrates board12 and canard 30. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, however,steering shaft 124 terminates at pivot 125, where it is coupled to ashaft 137 that generally descends downward. A horizontal spacer 121 mayextend from the front of board 12 to position the canard in a desiredposition (or to provide greater design freedom in positioning thecanard). Shaft 137 is pivotally coupled to canard 30 at pivot 131, androtatably mounted through the distal end of spacer 121.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a water craft 310having an alternative flotation mechanism 112 in accordance with thepresent invention. The flotation mechanism 112 may be formed as a kayak(open or closed) or a boat-like structure that has a hull that displaceswater and supports more weight than a surfboard type flotation device asdisclosed in FIG. 1. Seats or benches may be added to mechanism 112 inadditional to other features and the hull 111 may be covered. Theadditional weight bearing properties of craft 110 would accommodatemultiple people and/or gear.

[0039]FIG. 7 also illustrates a canard 30, steering shaft 124 withcontrol handle 26 and foil assembly 140.

[0040] The foil(s) of the present invention may be made of any suitablefoil material including, but not limited to light-weight corrosionresistant materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloys and other metalsand alloys thereof. Plastic or other materials may also be suitable.

[0041] While the invention has been described in connection withspecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capableof further modification, and this application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention and the limits of the appended claims.

1. A motorized hydrofoil water craft, comprising: a substantiallyhorizontally disposed flotation board that is longer than wide; a hydrofoil; a motor; and a steering mechanism.
 2. The craft of claim 1,further comprising a canard.
 3. The craft of claim 1, wherein saidsteering mechanism includes a steering shaft pivotally coupled to saidboard and having a control handle on one end and a canard at anotherend.
 4. The craft of claim 3, wherein said pivotally coupled shaft, saidcanard and said board are configured to permit movement of said canardup and down relative to said board.
 5. The craft of claim 1, whereinsaid motor is an electric motor and said craft further includes abattery; wherein said battery and said motor are situated underwater inuse.
 6. The craft of claim 1, wherein said foil is detachably coupled tosaid board.
 7. The craft of claim 1, further comprising a verticalmember that descends from said board, said foil being detachably coupledto said vertical member.
 8. The craft of claim 1, further comprising avertical member, detachably coupled to said board, that descends fromsaid board and is coupled to said foil and maintains said foil at agiven distance from said board.
 9. The craft of claim 1, wherein saidsteering mechanism includes a canard, and further wherein said canard isprovided forward in said steering mechanism; said steering mechanism isprovided towards a forward portion of said board; and said foil isprovided substantially under a center region of said board.
 10. Amotorized hydrofoil water craft, comprising: a substantiallyhorizontally disposed flotation device; a foil; a motor; a steeringmechanism including a steering member pivotally coupled to said board,said steering member having a canard coupled at a distal end.
 11. Thecraft of claim 10, wherein said flotation device is longer than wide andconfigured to receive an adult human in the prone position.
 12. Thecraft of claim 10, wherein said steering mechanism includes a controlhandle coupled to said steering member that provides throttle control.13. The craft of claim 10, wherein said steering member, said canard andsaid board are configured to permit movement of said canard up and downrelative to said board.
 14. The craft of claim 10, wherein saidpivotally coupled shaft, said canard and said board are configured topermit movement of said canard up and down relative to said board. 15.The craft of claim 10, wherein said motor is an electric motor and saidcraft further includes a battery, said battery being situated underwater in use.
 16. The craft of claim 10, wherein said foil is detachablecoupled to said board.
 17. A motorized hydrofoil water craft,comprising: a substantially horizontally disposed flotation device; afoil; an electric motor and battery, said battery being situatedunderwater during use; and a steering mechanism.
 18. The craft of claim17, wherein said flotation device is longer than wide and configured toreceive an adult human in the prone position.
 19. The craft of claim 17,further comprising a canard.
 20. The craft of claim 17, wherein saidsteering mechanism includes a steering member movably coupled to saidboard and having a control handle on one end and a canard at anotherend.
 21. The craft of claim 17, wherein said foil is detachably coupledto said board.
 22. The craft of claim 17, further comprising a verticalmember, detachably coupled to said board, that descends from said boardand is coupled to said foil and maintains said foil at a given distancefrom said board.
 23. The craft of claim 17, wherein said motor and saidbattery are provided in the same resealeably openable housing and saidhousing has a substantially watertight seal.
 24. A motorized hydrofoilwater craft, comprising: a substantially horizontally disposed flotationdevice; a hydro foil; a motor; a steering mechanism; and a canard. 25.The craft of claim 24, wherein said steering mechanism includes asteering shaft pivotally coupled to said board and having a controlhandle on one end and said canard at another end.
 26. The craft of claim25, wherein said steering shaft, said canard and said board areconfigured to permit movement of said canard up and down relative tosaid board.